In 2012 the State Government formed the Mount Isa Lead Health Management Committee (MILHMC) to oversee lead health management as well as the health management of other significant contaminants in Mount Isa. The MILHMC will consolidate and build on the excellent work already done by the Living with Lead Alliance (LWLA) and the Senior Officers Working Group. The appointment of the new committee underlines the Government’s commitment to dealing with the harmful effects of lead in the local environment and involving locals in any decision-making. The committee’s main objective will be to strengthen health management strategies so as to ensure the young children of Mount Isa are protected from the harmful effects of contaminates in the environment.
The committee comprises representatives from Queensland Government agencies, Glencore Mount Isa Mines, State and Commonwealth Members of Parliament and Mount Isa City Council, with the Chief Health Officer Queensland Health as the Chair.
Uma Rajappa
Director, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health Regulation and Standards, Health Protection Unit, Division of the Health Services and Clinical Innovation, Queensland Health
Uma Rajappa is the Director, Environmental Hazards Unit, Department of Health. The Unit is responsible for strategic and regulatory policy advice on public health risks from a range of complex and diverse range of from environmental hazards such as asbestos, environmental lead, hazardous chemicals and waste, noise, etc. The Unit is responsible for administering multiple pieces of public health legislation which underpin Queensland Health’s environmental hazards program.
Uma has performed the role of the secretary to the Mount Isa Lead Health Committee since its establishment in October 2012.
Sophie Dwyer
Executive Director, Health Protection Unit, Queensland Health
Sophie Dwyer has had a diverse career in public health within Queensland Health and in the community spanning more than 30 years. Sophie has held various senior executive roles within Queensland Health, which have included the management of public health units, and environmental health, health protection and health promotion programs.
Sophie is currently the Executive Director, Health Protection Branch. The Health Protection Program seeks to ensure that good health is maintained through prevention or minimising the community’s exposure to hazards and risks. It includes programs in food safety, water quality, environmental hazards, radiation health and public health regulation. Sophie has completed undergraduate degrees in environmental science (first class honours) and social work, a master of public health and a graduate diploma in public sector management. In addition, Sophie holds an adjunct appointment with Griffith University as Associate Professor. In 2008, Sophie was awarded the Public Service Medal.
Hon Bob Katter MP
Federal Member for Kennedy
Married with five children and nine grandchildren, Bob is a fourth-generation North Queenslander. His employment history includes being a labourer, an insurance agent, owner of St Francis Cattle Station in the Gulf, a prospector and a mine developer. Bob began his political career in Queensland in 1974 and has been the Minister for Northern Development and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, Minister for Northern Development, Community Services and Ethnic Affairs, Minister for Mines and Energy and the Minister for Northern and Regional Development. Bob introduced Queensland’s inaugural Heritage Legislation, instituted self-management and private ownership on the aboriginal lands of Queensland, facilitated the building of more than 2000 homes in aboriginal communities with almost exclusively indigenous labour, and built an electricity transmission line from Cairns to Karumba through Kidston. His book An Incredible Race of People: History of Australia 1890-2010 was published in 2012.
Bob is passionate about North Queensland, its people and ensuring their health and wellbeing.
Phillip Brooks
Commissioner
Phillip has held an esteemed career in the child, youth and family support portfolio in Queensland and began working for the Queensland Government 17 years ago as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police trainee in Innisfail with the Queensland Police Service.
Phillip is a descendant of the Bidjara Tribe (Great Grandfather), the Kairi Tribe (Great Grandmother), and the Ducabrook Clan located at Springsure Central Queensland. Phillip has previously held position in Mt Isa including the Director of Government Coordination in 2010, as a Contract Management Office and Manager of both Child Safety and Youth Justice Service Centres.
Kate du Preez
Commissioner Resources Safety and Health
Kate was appointed as Queensland’s first Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health in 2020 and brings to the role more than 20 years’ experience in the resources industry in South Africa and Queensland.
Kate’s role is to advise the Minister for Resources on resources safety and health matters; chair the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee; engage with stakeholders to promote and protect safety and health; and monitor, review, and report to the Minister on the performance of Resources Safety and Health Queensland’s functions.
Robbie Katter MP
State Member for Mount Isa
Mayor Peta MacRae
Mayor of Mount Isa